Air Temperature Conditions and Climatic-Geomorphological Characteristics of James Ross Island, Antarctic Peninsula

Entry ID:
CDA_AR_GEO_J.ROSS_CLIMATOLOGY

Summary

Abstract:
Air temperature observations were carried out in Riscos Rink, James Ross Island during 1995 and 1996. Mean annual air temperature, and freezing and thawing indices in 1996 were -6.8 degrees C, 274 and 240 degrees C days, respectively. There are more than 100 freeze-thaw days in a year. These conditions favor the development of some kinds of periglacial landforms. The climatic geomorphologic characteristics of James Ross Island are discussed based on freezing and thawing indexes.

This study was carried out within a Joint Research Program of the Instituto Antartico Argentino and the Institute of Low Temperature Science, with the logistic support of the DNA and the Fuerza Aerea Argentina.